The Benches of Boyertown

As we travel through our life adventures, a piece of home always travels within us. A favorite destination for many Boyertown area folks is State College, PA – home of Penn State (PSU) football, so today’s “Benches of Boyertown” can be found in Beaver Stadium. 

The Simmons Family

Boyertown Area Senior High (BASH) class of 1975 grad Bonnie Schanley Simmons and her class of ’75 husband Tim, share that Penn State is “very special” to their family. “We started attending all home games in 2003 when our middle child, Matt, entered the engineering program,” Bonnie says. 

During her high school days at BASH, Bonnie had been “a rifle” in the marching unit bandfront and served as Rifle Captain during her senior year, while Tim was Band President, so they were thrilled when son Matt auditioned and was accepted into PSU’s Marching Blue Band to play the trombone. (Of course, Matt had previously been in the BASH Marching Band.) Later, in 2010, their youngest son, Brett, also earned a PSU degree in engineering.

Bonnie remembers the Sandusky scandal that erupted around that time and the impact it had on Penn State students and their families. “We witnessed the sanctions that were meant to destroy the program, but instead, we watched in awe as the shock and adversity strengthened the PSU community and they strived to right wrongs and rebuild,” she says.

“For us, the best part of continuing with our season tickets all these years later is that meeting at PSU is a great way to connect with family, see the friends we have made through the years, and experience the greatest venue in college football. There is nothing like a 'White Out' with our immediate family and the Penn State family…  almost 110,000 strong,” Bonnie asserts, and then adds, “We Are!” 

Of course, the Marching Blue Band might have a little something to do with it too! 

The McGlinchey Family

Diane and Joe McGlinchey can also be found on the benches at Penn State. This season they experienced their first "white out."

Retired BASH graduate and administrative assistant Diane, and her husband, retired BASH guidance counselor, Joe McGlinchey, also were recently seen sitting in PSU's Beaver Stadium. 

"I have an alum connection," Joe explains and shares  that he is a 1972 PSU grad. "I just enjoy the atmosphere of college football more than pro football, and this is as good as it gets," he proudly shares.  

Joe points out that he has been going to PSU home games for about 50 years, missing only the first two to three seasons immediately after his graduation when he was getting his teaching career going and could not afford to go.  He feels fortunate that he always has known someone who had tickets to sell. PSU football tickets are always in demand and once purchased, season tickets are passed down within families.  

"I love the whole atmosphere that surrounds the campus and the stadium... the electricity... the fan enthusiasm that supports the home team," he concludes. 

Diane echoes her husband's feelings, saying "I love the excitement and I love the football. I just love it there." She also shares that she loves staying at the university's hotel, The Penn Stater. 

But Diane confesses that the thing she loves most of all about attending PSU football games is that "being here to cheer for his favorite team makes my husband smile," and then she adds, "and that makes me happy!" 

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